Rathkeale teams run hot in Christchurch

Rathkeale College almost made a clean sweep of their annual winter sports exchange with Christ's College in Christchurch, winning the soccer, hockey, golf and squash and losing only the rugby.
Up against a Christ's team with a bulky pack and a slick set of backs Rathkeale found the first XV rugby match hard going, losing 5-50 after trailing 5-36 at halftime.
Rathkeale did have their moments on attack but wayward passing tended to count against them. Dean Taylor-Menzies was the pick of their players both on attack and defence while their sole try scorer was Tom Vollebregt, who touched down after a 20m forward drive.
Rathkeale led 2-0 after just 30 minutes in the first XI soccer match and went on to win 4-2. First half goals were scored by Scott Turkington and Hayden Dam with Kota Maeno and Turkington finding the net in the second spell.
It was Christs who took the early lead in the first XI hockey match with a stunning goal but Rathkeale quickly recovered their composure and led 3-1 at halftime before going on to win 5-2.
Rathkeale had lost the squash to Christs the previous year but it was a different story this year with Rathkeale winning 4-1. Sam Renall lost 9-5 in the fifth set to their very talented top player while Rupert Stevens won 3-1 and James Wilkie, Bowie Brown and Nick McGovern all won without dropping a set.
Completing a successful tournament for Rathkeale was the golf team of Harry Bateman, Jeremy Ross, Geoff Tuoro and Phillip Tuoro who beat Christs 3-1 over 18 holes of singles match play.